Cop found guilty of shooting Hanover taxi operator could escape prison time

A screengrab of police constable Wayne Hamil standing over the taxi operator after after shooting him in Hanover.

Livern Barrett, Senior Gleaner Writer

The police constable convicted for the 2014 videotaped shooting of a taxi operator in Hopewell, Hanover could avoid prison time.

Constable Wayne Hamil was this morning fined of $1 million or three years in prison by Justice Chester Stamp in the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.

Hamil's attorney said the cop has been given one month to pay the fine.

In the meantime, he said his client is expected to be released from custody.

On July 1, Hamil was convicted in the Trelawny Circuit Court for wounding with intent.

His sentencing was, however, transferred to Kingston.

Hamil is the second member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in the past two months to avoid prison time for a wounding conviction.

In May, former police constable Joseph Stanley was fined $200,000 for wounding with intent and $100,000 for shooting with intent for the 2009 shooting of a St Andrew bartender after an argument over a drink.

In a video posted on the social media site YouTube, Hamil is seen in full uniform tussling on the ground with the taxi operator.

Moments later, three explosions were heard before the policeman rose to his feet with his service pistol in hand and the taxi operator laying on the ground.